After months of planning, our Poinciana Council brought the community together for the 2024 PoincianaFest: A Poinciana Festival of Community & Commerce on Saturday, November 9! PoincianaFest was formerly an annual event hosted by our Poinciana Council Board of Directors designed to bring the Poinciana business and citizen communities together for a day of fun and community engagement. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event had not been held since the fall of 2019, but this year felt like the appropriate time to bring the event back and better than ever at a brand new location – Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures! The main purpose of this event is to raise funds for the Poinciana Council’s annual scholarship that benefits high school seniors and those already enrolled in higher learning programs in the Poinciana area – and we can’t think of a more fun way to support a great cause! Check out some images and video from our amazing day in Poinciana!
Business Vendors
The 2024 PoincianaFest welcomed 50 business vendors and food trucks who welcomed the community to their booths. From major players in the area to family-owned businesses and craft vendors, there was a little something for everyone. The event was sponsored by HCA Florida Poinciana Hospital, Osceola Community Health Services, Central Florida Expressway Authority’s Move Poinciana, Central Florida Expressway Authority, Cypress Cove Nudist Resort, and Valencia College Poinciana Campus.
Community Engagement
Attendees had many opportunities to engage with and learn about our community at PoincianaFest. Many chose to donate blood at the OneBlood Blood Bus in exchange for a $20 gift card and some OneBlood swag. Others explored one of Osceola County’s real fire trucks serving the Poinciana Community with some Osceola County Fire & EMS’s finest there to answer their questions. The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office also handed out swag and let attendees explore their special cruiser wrapped for Breast Cancer Awareness and a real sheriff’s truck.
Activities for Kids & Families
There was plenty to do for kids and families at PoincianaFest 2024. The Build Back Better Regional Grant Board/NeoCity and CAAIRE sponsored a STEM City where kids of all ages were able to explore STEM activities and learn about the world of possibility in science and nanotechnology that NeoCity is bringing to our County. Face Painters kept busy giving kids artistic makeovers, while other children played corn hole and pickle ball. Attendees had access to Boggy Creek’s park and Boggy Bottom BBQ Restaurant, and the option to purchase an airboat excursion and other activities that the park offers daily. In honor of Veterans Day weekend, Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures was even offering free 30-minute airboat rides to veterans! In addition to the restaurant, Steaktion food truck offered Colombian and Venezuelan favorites and Bruster’s Real Ice Cream brought a variety of flavors to choose from.
Entertainment
At PoincianaFest 2024, DJ LaVell kept the tunes going – and he event got a little help from the Osceola Magic’s mascot Swish!! The event was opened by a presentation of the colors by the Poinciana High School NJROTC under the direction of Kentreal Peters and a Star Spangled Banner sung by members of PHS’s choir. The PHS Choir, under the direction of Caleb Pena-Justino, returned to perform later in the day. In between, the Pleasant Hill Elementary Traveling Performance Group also sang selections from 101 Dalmatians for us!
Raffle Prizes
With the main objective of raising funds for the Poinciana Council Scholarship Fund, the event also included a raffle for some amazing prizes from our friends at Universal Orlando Resort, Gatorland, Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures, Osceola Magic, Staley Development, and more! Congrats to all the winners!
All in all, we commend the Poinciana Council Board for a fantastic event, and e hope to see many of you at next year’s PoincianaFest!
